Bear’s powerful shoulders roll, his paws flatten, his head
weaves, lethal and stupid. Avoid his little blind eye.
Black widow scuttles behind the kitchen sink
on a great many legs. Her kiss is fatal.
Hen harrier laughs harshly and all laugh in chorus.
Head cocked, she tears open the piecrust.
Snake wraps himself round small creatures gently.
His grip tightens and they fall asleep.
Sow wallows, heavy flesh and thick white skin, her pink-
rimmed eyes squinny. She will eat anything. Babies.
Little dog barks, slavers, grins and takes liberties,
sniffs at crotches and abuses cushions.
I keep my mouth shut so they do not see my teeth.
Tiny, malevolent, I could be rat or weasel.
They should hang me up on the fence as a warning.
(Dorothy Nimmo)
